Do You Need a Coach or a Counselor?

(Coaching or Therapy;  What's the difference?)

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Clients generally come to counseling when they are struggling emotionally with an issue. Counseling is a clinical approach to assist the client in the process of understanding and resolving his or her past issues in order to live more fully in the present. Therapy focuses on issues of pathology, healing, and unresolved psychological issues. In therapy the DSM or the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual is consulted to identify patterns, symptoms, and treatment.  

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Coaching does not focus on “why,” but on  “what now?”  The coaching process shifts obstacles into plans and goals.  Always looking forward instead of analyzing the past. Coaching is a good fit for a goal-oriented person who prefers to take responsibility for their processes and outcomes.  Coaches work with “highly-functioning” people.  Meaning the assumption is that the client is healthy, willing and fully capable of achieving their goals and are looking for guidance and motivation.

 

A Coach works closely with you to map out a game plan for creating what you want in your life.  A Coach stays with you throughout the process to guide you, create actionable plans, break down what holds you back and motivate you to move forward.  With life coaching, you will not analyze the past, but look toward the future to figure out what to do next and celebrate your results.

 

 

Therapy

• Roots in medicine, psychiatry

• Works with people to achieve self-understanding and healing

• Focuses on feelings and past events

• Explores the root of problems and a diagnosis from the DSM

• Works to bring the unconscious into consciousness

• Works for internal resolution of pain and to let go of old patterns

Coaching

• Roots in business and personal growth venues

• Works to motivate people to a higher level of functioning.

• Focuses on actions and the future; goal-orientation

• Focuses on solving problems

• Works with the conscious mind

• Works for solutions to overcome barriers, learn new skills and implement effective choices

 

Although Tiffany Lehman provides both Coaching and Counseling, these services are very different.  Clients will partner with Tiffany and be assessed for the appropriate program.  

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